Community to Jam for Jesse

Jam for Jesse will include live music and a silent auction./Photo submitted

By Sarah Sobanski

Maynoothians and community members from Hastings Highlands and surrounding area are coming together to help a local musician.

In early March, musician and sound man Jesse Hanna — known for doing sound at Mineral Capital Concerts, the Village Playhouse, the Arlington and for teaching lessons and hanging around Guitar Nuts — severed the tendons on his left hand to his pointer finger, nearly slicing off his pinkie in the process.

While his hand was put back together by a surgeon in Kingston, a new GoFundMe started in his honour suggests he won’t be working or playing music again any time soon. “He will require physiotherapy to regain the function in his hand,” the GoFundMe page reads (www.gofundme.com/jam-for-jesse).

“Jesse Hanna is a cherished member of this community,” said Sydney Donkers who started the fundraising campaign to help Hanna while he’s on the mend. “He has been a huge part of the music scene in the Bancroft area for over a decade, as well as the go-to sound guy for most of our events.”

As of March 29 more than $2,700 had been donated. She didn’t expect the page to gain such momentum.

“I never expected it to blow up the way it did,” she said. “I just wanted to make sure that everyone had the opportunity to donate, and a GoFundMe campaign seemed to be the best option… The news was spread rather quickly and people from not only all over the province, but even from different countries, have sent their love and support to Jesse, [and his family] G and Echo.”

Donkers set a $10,000 goal for the fundraiser but says she just wants to “raise as much as humanly possible to help the Hanna family get through this difficult time.” She’s also co-organizing a fundraising event for him in Maynooth April 7.

The Arlington will feature Jam for Jesse. Co-organizer Joey Shulman said the event will feature live music from some musicians taught by Hanna and more including violinist C.T. Rowe, vocalists Jenny Katz, Mary Milne, Chris Hayward, Albert Saxby, Brad Culver, “Unnatural” Radio a.k.a. Miriam and Mike and Salty Dog/Cedar Shakes.

“As far as the benefit goes, we would like to try and raise as much as possible. We had hoped for somewhere between $2,000 to $3,000,” said Donkers. “Personally, I have known Jesse and G for more than half of my life. To me, they are family. They are both big-hearted, charismatic, hard-working people who mean a lot to this community.
She added, “Following Jesse’s accident, there was no question as to whether or not we would hold a community event to lend a helping hand.”
The event kicks off at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and minimum bids are $100.